I am now recovering from a double mastectomy ~ I found a lump in my left breast during a self exam ~ I am waiting on my Oncotype DX test results but as far as my dr is concerned I won't need chemo ~ great news ~ but I believe I was part of a Christmas miracle ~ everyone asks me how I found the lump and my response is always the same "my mom told me" I believe with my whole heart it was her ~ my mom passed away I'm December 2009 ~ she had breast cancer,intestinal lymphoma and throat cancer but it was the throat cancer that ultimately took her from is ~ I would never have done the self exam that day, I had never really done one before,I wasn't even thinking about it,I was just getting ready to go in the shower and for no apparent reason at all I decided at that moment to do it,that's when I felt it and the rest they say is history ~ my Christmas miracle ~ I caught it early, stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, I opted to do the double mastectomy because I want no chance of it coming back ~ I love you mom and miss you so much, thank you for watching over me and protecting me <3

Patty Shutte
Florence, SC